8 S I X T H

Another morning, Vaughn wakes up only to find an empty house...again. It was obvious she felt her heart sank. She wants her dad to be here when she wakes up, but her pride and the fact that Luvox doesn't seem to care about her only brings back her hatred towards him.

Denial. She denies the fact that she wants to wake up with a father.

Stop thinking things that will obviously happen once.

Still with a bandaged fist, Vaughn makes her way to the University.

Numerous students were seen around the campus. Laughter and emerged conversations were heard around as Vaughn makes her way to her usual spot with Rade.

"Hey! What happened to you?" His gaze dropped to Vaughn's bruised and bandaged fists.

"What else? I beat the shit out of that tied up man," Vaughn runs her fingers to her hair.

"You need to start controlling your temper," Rade picks his bag up to start walking ahead.

"Says you," Vaughn refutes.

=============================================================================================================================================================================

Sitting on different classes with her best friend, Vaughn quietly sits on her designated seat, as she fiddles with her fingers. With thoughts travelling elsewhere, she leans on her desk, closing her eyes in the process.

"Alright, everyone," not long until the professor's voice was heard in the confines of their classroom.

Vaughn shoots her head up to look at the professor speaking up front.

Oh right. He's my classmate on this subject.

She tiredly looks to her side only to see a waving Jax as if greeting her.

Psh.

Directly drawing her attention to a different direction. Again, her thoughts wander to his father, and to the tied up man. How will they make him speak the truth about who he works for?

If I were in his position, will I just drop the name of who I work for? Knowing that syndicates hold me by the throat?

Another thing that's bothering her is her obligations as school's varsity.

I'm afraid I won't be able to compete at preliminaries.

"Now, I've all grouped you into pairs. I will be announcing your pair so you will be able to work on your Project," The professor lifts her slipping eyeglasses.

Great. Another thing to think about.

Vaughn just leans on the table to at least redeem her lost sleep before the class starts.

The thing she hates about school projects is the time when you get paired up or get grouped with a group of people, and you come to each other's houses in order to finish the project.

Probably the last person I wanna get paired with is Mr. cocky guy over there. I'd rather practice my spikes at the Gymnasium than to finish a damn project with him.

"And the last pair, Vaughn Xanthos and Jax Sanchez,"

What the-?! How did that even happen?

Vaughn Looks to her right only to see a happily smiling Jax,

"Something is definitely off about him," She whispers to herself. "Excuse me, ma'am" Vaughn raises her hand up for the Professor's attention.

"Yes? Is there any problem?" She asks.

Vaughn walks to her and whispers her intentions instead.

"I'm sorry but, I can't change the pairing. It is how it is," The professor looks at her apologetically.

As if on cue, the school bell rings.

Saved by the freakin' bell. Damn it!

Vaughn went on to pick up her bag and immediately head out the room.

I'll just ditch him to get things done.

"Adalane, hey!" Jax waves his hand, as he struggles to get though the crowd of students at the hallway.

"What?" The irritated yet expressionless look on her face is back.

"Where are you going?" He asks with furrowed brows.

"Away from you," Vaughn timidly answers.

"Meanie," He pretends to be hurt, which Vaughn finds irritating.

Jax just followed her until they both reach the entrance of the Gymnasium.

"Why are you still here? I have Varsity practice," She lazily points at the Gym.

"The Project," He says, as if hoping to get a better answer from Vaughn.

Instead, Vaughn just shrugs as she turns around to head for the Gym.

No matter how you look at it, I don't wanna partner up with you.

"I'll wait for your practice to be over," Jax shouts at her direction.

"Good luck with that," She raised her bandaged fist up in the air, as if saluting him. Vaughn knows too well that they often finish practice around dinner time.

Now that Vaughn is partnered up with the guy she despise, where will this go from here? How about the gem they were looking for? Will Vaughn and her crew end up knowing who holds the Gem?